Rotary tumbler



Feb. 2, 1965 D. F. SMITH 3,167,890

ROTARY TUMBLER Filed Sept. 18, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l E'Kgi INVENTOR. DEA N F. SM \TH ATTORNEYS D. F. SMITH ROTARY TUMBLER Feb. 2, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 18, 1962 R m m w M S, F N A E D ATrcRNEvs United States Patent C) 3,167,890 ROTARY TUMBLER Dean F. Smith, Box 203, Bismarck, N. Dak. Filed Sept. 18, 1962, Ser. No. 224,412 11 Claims. (Cl. 51164) This invention relates to a tumbling device, and in particular to an apparatus of the type wherein a cylindrical container, or canister is caused to rotate by virtue of dwell upon rotating, support rollers or the like. In such devices, it is customary to employ at least two support rollers, with the result that there is a degree of irregularity in the seating of the container, unless perfectly mated to the rollers, which in turn affects the smoothness and fidelity of operations, and it is a principal object of the invention to remedy this situation by what amounts, in effect, to a three-point dwell of the container.

More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide a tumbling cradle using a single drive roller, in co-operation with a point bearing, thus increasing efiiciency While reducing the complexity of the system.

Yet another object is to provide a system with an inclined mounting for the container, and having point supports for the base thereof in cooperation with a threepoint support for the side of the container.

These and other ends, which will be readily apparent, are attained by the present invention, a preferred form of which is described in the following specification, as illustrated in the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a tumbler cradle, according to the invention, with a single container or canister in place,

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the device of FIGURE 1, with an additional container indicated in broken lines, in tandem relationship to the first container,

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2,

FIGURE 4 is an end elevational view of the device shown in FIGURE 2, as seen from the right of FIG- URE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view, taken on the plane of the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4, and

FIGURE 6 is a bracketed view, in perspective, on enlarged scale, showing a nested, two-part container, with the parts in exploded form.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, there is shown a supporting framework, or cradle, comprising a rectangular frame 10, of steel, aluminum, wood, or other suitable material, with two long sides 12, 14, and two short ends 16, 18, the first three being of equal width, and end 18 being of substantially greater width, to provide bottom support for the container 20, as will appear.

In the preferred mode of use, the frame 10 is supponted at an oblique ang e of about 30 with the horizontal by means of a pair of legs 22, secured in the respective side rails 12, 14, by press fit, screw threads or other means, and having anti-slip, rubbery feet 24, such as crutch tips, which furnish the ground or table support, together with a lower, outer corner of the wide, end rail 18.

The driving force imparting rotation to the cylindrical container or canister 20 is provided by a relatively slender, support roller 26, journalled in bushings 28, 30, carried by the respective, end rails 16, 18, near the side rail 12 of the frame, and having a portion extending beyond end rail 16, to which is keyed a driven pulley 32. A motor 34, secured to end rail 16 by a bracket 36, has an output shaft 38 with a pulley 40, considerably smaller than pulley 32, and which communicates reduced drive thereto by means of a belt 42.

The preferred mode of use of the device is in the $367,8 9 Patented Feb. 2, 1965 grinding and polishing of small stones and gems, and accordingly, the device illustrated is constructed in accordance with such light duty. For instance, the size of container 20 is of the order of that of an ordinary coffee can, and the motor 34 is of small size, weight and power. Thus, while the simple bracket 36 is adequate for the support of the motor, it will be understood that sturdier construction may be required in a machine designed for heavier duty operations.

The container dwells of its own weight on roller 26, and is driven frictionally thereby, and in order to improve the driving friction, the container is provided with a pair of encircling bands 44, which may be held in position on the container by their own tension. While these are shown as of round section, they may have other forms, such as flat bands. In addition to improving friction, the bands limit contact with the roller to two points, and therefore insure a constancy of contact and frictional engagement, which would be unlikely if the full length of the container wall were intended to dwell directly on the roller. The bands also provide clearance in the case where the container has a protruding, peripheral flange, such as 46, at its bottom.

The third point of suspension for the container wall is provided by a spherical bearing 48, contained within, and protruding from, a frusto-spherical shell 50, forming the head of a screw 52, secured in side rail 14. A second, and similar bearing 54 may be located at another point along rail 14, to accommodate a second container 56 (shown in phantom, in FIGURE 2) which may be processed conjointly with container 20, in tandem relation thereto.

The oblique orientation of the system calls for bottom bearing support for the lowermost container 20, and this is provided in a pair of spherical bearings 58, carried by end rail 18, and mounted similarly to bearings 48 and 54, and radially spaced from the axis of container 20 along a diametral line.

In operation, the container, such as 20, is charged with a suitable amount of substance, comprising the stones or gems 69, in a matrix of abrasive powder 62. The container is then placed in the cradle, with bands 44 dwelling on roller 26, the side of the container dwelling on ball bearing 48, and the bottom of the container dwelling on ball bearings 58. Due to the slant of the system, the

, contents of the container will assume the position indicated in FIGURE 5, and upon rotation of the container, thorough intermingling of the contents will ensue, with the relative positions of the components in the aggregate shifting constantly, so that efficient action of the abrasive on the work pieces results, as the grinding operation is carried to conclusion. No cover is needed on the container, even for charges approaching half of the capacity of the container, which fact, along with other features mentioned hereinbefore, makes for rapid and efficient operation, even allowing for frequent inspections, which may be effected without the need of stopping the machinery. Further troublesome pressure differentials are avoided by the use of an open container.

For polishing operations, the container is provided with a relatively soft, plastic liner 64, as indicated in FIGURE 6. This open-top, closed-bottom liner may be improvised from any of several commercial containers holding household fiuids, such as detergents, bleaches, etc., by cutting off the upper portion which includes the handle, and neck or pouring spout.

In addition to advantages noted above, the three-point suspension avoids bouncing of the container, which has been one of the chief difliculties in devices of the prior art, especially in light-duty operations. Furthermore this type of suspension introduces improvements in bearing efficiency which makes possible the use of lighter motors, and general minimization of complexity in the drive system.

While a certain, preferred embodiment has been shown and described, various modifications will be apparent, in the light of this disclosure, and the invention should not, therefore, be deemed as limited, exceptinsofar as shall appear from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for tumbling particulate materials, comprising a rectangular, open framework with parallel side rails and parallel end rails, one of said end rails extending above said framework, a pair of bushings in the respective end rails, aligned on an axis parallel to said side rails and locatedbetween the longitudinal center line of said framework and one of said side rails, a relatively long slender roller of uniform cross-sectional shape journalled in said bushings, and extending beyond the. other of said end rails, a pulley carried by the extending portion of said roller, a motor carried by said other of said end rails and having an operative connection with said pulley, means for supporting said framework at an angle to the horizontal, with the bottom of said one of said end rails constituting a ground support, a plurality of point-bearing supports, comprising frusto-spherical shells secured to said rails, and enclosing spherical bearings with exposed portions directed inwardly of said framework, at least one of said point-bearing supports carried. on the other of said side rails, and at least two of said point-bearing supports carried on said one of said end rails, in spaced relation, on opposite sides of said center line, and above the top of said side rails, and an opentop cylindrical container having a pair of bands of resilient material, re-

ceived in tension on its periphery, in mutually spaced relation, and adapted to dwell on said roller, said pointbearing support on said other of said side rails adapted to contact the periphery of said container, between said bands, and said point-bearing supports on said one of said end rails adapted to be contacted by said bottom, substantially on a diametral line thereof.

2. An apparatus as in claim, 1, the point-bearing supports on said other of said side rails being at least two in number, and located in spaced relation, longitudinally of said framework. 7

3. An apparatus for tumbling particulate materials,

comprising a rectangular, open framework with parallel 9 side rails, and parallel end rails, one of said end rails ex tending above said framework, a relatively long slender roller of uniform cross-sectional shape journalled in the respective said end rails, on an axis parallel to said side rails, and located adjacent one of said side rails, a motor carried by the other of said end rails and having an operative connection with said roller, means for supporting said framework at an angle to the horizontal, with the bottom of said one of said end rails constituting a ground support, a plurality of point-bearing supports, comprising spaced relation, and adapted to dwell on said roller, said point-bearing support on said other of said side rails adapted to contact the periphery of said container, between said bands, and said point-bearing support on said one of said end railsadapted to be contacted by the bottom of said container.

4. An apparatus as in claim 3, the point-bearing supports on said one of said end rails being at least two in number, spaced apart, and located above the top of said side rails,1-and arranged to contact the bottom of said container substantially on a diametral line thereof.

5. An apparatus for tumbling particulate materials, comprising an open framework with siderails, and end rails, one of said end rails extending above said framework, a relatively long slender roller of uniform cross sectional shape journalled in the respective said end rails, on an axis parallel to said side rails, and located adjacent one of said side rails, a motor carried by the other of said end rails and having an operative connection with said roller, supporting leg means carriedby the respective, said side rails, adjacent said other of said end rails, Whereby to'support said framework at an angle to the horizontal, with vthe bottom'of said one of said end rails constituting a ground support, a plurality of point-bearing supports, comprising shell housings secured to said rails and enclosing spherical bearings with exposed portions directed inwardly of said framework, at least one of said point-bearing supports carried on the other of said side rails, and at least one of said point-bearing supports carried on said one of said end rails, and an open-top cylindrical container havinga pair ofbands of resilient mate- 'rial, in tension, on its periphery, in mutually spaced re1ation,'and adapted to dwell on said roller, said pointbearing support on said other of said side rails adapted to contact the periphery of said container, between said bands, and said point-bearing support on said one of said end rails adapted to be contacted by the bottom of said container.

6. An apparatus for tumbling particulate materials, comprising an open framework with side rails, and end rails, one of said endrails extending above said framework, a relatively long slender roller of uniform crossectional shape journalled in the respective said end rails,

on an axis parallel to said side rails, and located adjacent one of said side rails, a motor carried by the other of said end rails' and having an operative connection with said roller, a pair of supportinglegs carried by the respective, said side rails, adjacent said other of said end rails, whereby to suppont said framework at an angle'to the horizontal, with the bottom of said one of said end rails constituting a ground support, a plurality of pointbean'ng supports, secured to said rails and directed inwardly of said framework, at least one of said pointbearing supports carried on the other of said side rails, and at least one of said point-bearing supports carried on said one of said endrails, and an open-top cylindrical container having a pair. of bands of resilient material, in tension, on its periphery, in mutually spaced relation, and adapted to dwell on said roller, said point-bearing support on said other of said side rails adapted to contact the periphery of said container, between said bands, and'said point-bearing support'on said one of said end rails adapted to ,be'contacted by the bottom of said container. Y

7. An apparatus for tumbling particulate materials, comprising an: open frameworktwith side rails, and end rails, one of said end rails extending above said frame work, a relatively long slender roller of uniform crosssectional shape journalled in the, respective said end rails, on an axis parallel to said side rails, and located adjacent one of said side rails, a motor. carried by the other of said end rails and having an operative connection with said roller, means supporting said framework at an angle to the horizontal, with the bottom of said one of said end rails constituting a ground support, aplurality of point-bearingsupports, secured to said rails and directed inwardly of said framework, at least one of said point-bearing supports carriedonthe other of said side rails, and atleast one of said point-bearing supports carried on said one of said end rails, and an open-top cylindrical container having a pair of fric tion bands on. its periphery, in mutually spaced relation, and adapted to dwell on said roller, said pointbearing support on said other of said side rails adapted to contact the periphery of said container, between said bands, and said point-bearing support on said one of said end rails adapted to be contacted by the bottom of said container.

8. An apparatus as in claim 7, said point bearing supports on said other of said side rails being at least two in number, and located in spaced relation, longitudinally of said framework, and said point-bearing sup ports on said one of said end rails being at least two in number.

9. An apparatus as in claim 7, said point-bearing supports on said other of said side rails being at least two in number, and located in spaced relation, longitudinally of said framework.

10. An apparatus as in claim 7, said point-bearing supports on said one of said end rails being at least two in number.

11. An apparatus for tumbling particulate materials, comprising an open framework with side rails, and end rails, one of said end rails extending above said framework, a relatively long slender roller of uniform cross-sectional shape journalled in the respective said end rails, on an axis parallel to said side rails, and located adjacent one of said side rails, a pair of supporting legs carried by the respective, said side rails, adjacent said other of said end rails, whereby to support said framework at an angle to the horizontal, with the bottom of said one of said end rails constituting a ground support, a plurality of point-bearing supports, secured to said rails and directed inwardly ot said framework, at least one of said point-bearing supports carried on the other of said side rails, and at least one of said pointbearing supports carried on said one of said end rails, and an open-(top cylindrical container having an pair of friction bands on its periphery, in mutually spaced relation, and adapted to dwell on said roller, said pointbearing support on said other of said side rails adapted to contact the periphery of said container, between said bands, and said point-bearing support on said one of said end rails adapted to be contacted by the bottom of said container.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,772,737 8/30 Wise et al 24l177 2,510,858 6/50 Black 25981 2,523,258 9/50 Ransohoff 51164 2,653,015 9/53 Andrews 259-81 2,761,420 9/56 Mottet 259-81 X 3,056,561 10/62 Hukki 24l178 X FOREIGN PATENTS 271,344 2/30 Italy.

248 12/88 Switzerland.

LESTER M. SWINGDE, Primary Examiner.

FRANK H. BRONAUGH, Examiner. 

11. AN APPARATUS FOR TUMBLING PARTICULATE MATERIALS, COMPRISING AN OPEN FRAME WITH SIDE RAILS, AND END RAILS, ONE OF SAID END RAILS EXTENDING ABOVE SAID FRAMEWORK, A RELATIVELY LONG SLENDER ROLLER OF UNIFORM CROSS-SECTIONAL SHAPE JOURNALLED INTHE RESPECTIVE SAID END RAILS, ON AN AXIS PARALLEL TO SAID SIDE RAILS, AND LOCATED ADJACENT ONE OF SAID SIDE RAILS, A PAIR OF SUPPORTING LEGS CARRIED BY THE RESPECTIVE, SAID SIDE RAILS, ADJACENT SAID OTHER OF SAID END RAILS, WHEREBY TO SUPPORT SAID FRAMEWORK AT AN ANGLE TO THE HORIZONTAL, WITH THE BOTTOM OF SAID ONE OF SAID END RAILS CONSTITUTING A GROUND SUPPORT, A PLURALITY OF POINT-BEARING SUPPORTS, SECURED TO SAID RAILS AND DIRECTED INWARDLY OF SAID FRAMEWORK, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID POINT-BEARING SUPPORT CARRIED ON THE OTHER OF SAID SIDE RAILS, AND AT LEAST ONE OF SAID POINTBEARING SUPPORTS CARRIED ON SAID ONE OF SAID END RAILS, AND AN OPEN-TOP CYLINDRICAL CONTAINER HAVING A PAIR OF 